From Argentina to Australia, Bolivia to Belgium, the University of Denver sends its students around the world each year to take part in study-abroad programs that help shape their lives and careers. According to the 2014 Open Doors report released today by the Institute of International Education, DU is No. 1 in the nation among national doctoral and research institutions in the percentage of undergraduate students who participate in study-abroad programs. This is up from the No. 4 spot last year.

The report, which reflects data from the 2012–2013 academic year, shows that DU sent 71.7 percent of its undergraduates abroad, ahead of the University of San Diego, Wake Forest University and New York University.

“Studying abroad is a critical element to a DU’s student’s education. Understanding the complexities of the world while taking academic classes abroad is a game-changer,” says Denise Cope, director of study abroad at the University of Denver. “Research indicates that intercultural development, language learning and attitudinal and behavioral changes occur as a result of study abroad.”

DU offers more than 150 study-abroad programs in 55 nations. Eligible students have the opportunity to study abroad while paying DU tuition and fees. Additionally, through the Cherrington Global Scholars program, the University also helps students with certain additional costs such as airfare and required visa application fees.

The IIE reports that the top destination for students nationally was the United Kingdom, which is the same for DU students, followed by Spain, which is where DU senior Justine Henderson is currently studying abroad.

“When deciding which college to go to, it really came down to DU’s emphasis on study abroad that made me choose [it as] my university,” Henderson says. “Everyone takes with them a different ideal of the travel experience they want prior to leaving [for study] abroad. I knew for me, I wanted an experience filled with as much contemporary art and design as I could get within a cosmopolitan city. However, I always wanted to be close to nature. Bilbao filled all these requirements, and that’s where I ended up going.”